Mumbai: The tragic death of 23-year-old Vaishnavi Hagavane in Mulshi, Pune has set off a political firestorm, with accusations targeting the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), its leadership Ajit Pawar. Vaishnavi, who allegedly died by suicide after enduring domestic violence and dowry harassment at the hands of her husband, Shashank Hagavane, and his father, Rajendra Hagavane, has become a flashpoint for political tensions in the state.
The incident, which has shaken the state, led to widespread demands for justice and the immediate arrest of the accused. Both the Shiv Sena and Congress have strongly condemned the events surrounding Vaishnavi’s death, with the political fallout intensifying due to the fact that the accused are reportedly linked to the NCP, which is led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Shiv Sena’s Industrial Minister, Uday Samant, visited the grieving family in Pune, offering his condolences and vowing that justice would be served. Speaking to the media, Samant stated, “What happened to Vaishnavi is inhumane. The police have already formed six teams to track down the accused. The message must be clear: No political party grants a certificate to its members to commit such heinous crimes. The accused must face the full force of the law, and we demand strict punishment.”
Congress President in Maharashtra, Harshwardhan Sapkal, has also joined the chorus of criticism, accusing the NCP of harboring criminals and turning a blind eye to their actions. At a press conference, Sapkal declared that under the current BJP-led alliance government, crime in the state has reached an all-time high. He linked several high-profile criminal cases in the state to members of the NCP, including Vaishnavi’s in-laws.
Sapkal expressed his outrage, saying, “The NCP has become a haven for criminals. From the Beed massajog sarpanch murder case to the Pune drunk-driving incident, and now the torture and death of Vaishnavi Hagavane, many of the accused have close ties to Ajit Pawar’s faction. Is this the kind of leadership Maharashtra needs? Are Ajit Pawar and the NCP now the protectors of criminals?”
In an attempt to distance himself from the controversy, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar acted swiftly by expelling Rajendra Hagavane and Shashank Hagavane from the NCP. Addressing party workers in Pune, Pawar made it clear that such actions would not be tolerated within the party. “I would rather visit the homes of the poor for votes than associate with such bad men,” Pawar remarked, further emphasizing that he would not shield any criminal.
Pawar also responded to media reports suggesting his connection to the incident, firmly denying any involvement. “I have no connection to this crime. I have instructed the police to ensure the perpetrators face the full weight of the law,” he said, calling for the maximum punishment for the accused.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Speaker, Dr. Neelam Gorhe, has also condemned the incident and demanded that the authorities take swift and decisive action. Gorhe called for a thorough investigation and swift justice for Vaishnavi’s family.
Amid the uproar, political leader Rohini Khadse, from the Sharad Pawar faction, took aim at the Chairperson of the Maharashtra Women’s Commission, Rupali Chakankar. Khadse criticized the Commission’s lack of action on the issue, describing its functioning as ineffective. “The Women’s Commission has been ineffective; it’s like the cart is behind the horse. The Commission’s actions are far from the seriousness required for such cases,” Khadse stated, implying that there is more than meets the eye.
Rupali Chakankar responded to Khadse’s criticism, claiming that some opposition leaders only raise issues when tragedies occur, calling them out for their selective activism
